Take two good friends, some bike paths and fire trails, and a sensational hilltop view. Add threatening skies on a Monday evening and people testing out their new lightweight camping solutions. What do you have? Well you have last March's micro-adventure to the Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area.

The adventure: Leave from Family Bicycles in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday. Ride northwest, crossing the Kansas River, and then head north to Leavenworth, Kansas. Visit an educational retreat and organic farm that also has camping, then head east, riding across the Missouri River and camping at Weston Bend State Park. Then ride back to Kansas City on Sunday.

After over a year devoid of any bike overnights in one another’s platonic company, my roommate and I scratched our collective head ruminating on a worthy overnight goal. We had both been on bike trips already this summer, but separately and distracted by women. The idea to ride the 100 miles together from Bozeman, Montana, to Chico Hot Springs and back floated to the top of our list as we sought to soak in the Paradise Valley’s most soothing spring. After a careful inspection of our route’s elevation profile, we realized it closely resembled a stately, well-groomed mustache. The Mustache Ride was born.

Late last summer my boyfriend and I rode out to Afton State Park from St. Paul, Minnestoa. We had a taken a much longer Adventure Cycling trip earlier in the summer, which required a long drive, much planning, and a lot more gear. For this trip we took only a fraction of what we needed for our Idaho adventure, and it worked out great!

The endless potential for bicycle overnights in the foothills of South Carolina had been running through my head for a while. It was difficult to pare down the options for a three-day, two-night trip. There are opportunities to explore waterfalls, fly-fish mountain creeks, find hidden hikes, taste wine (or moonshine), paddle kayaks, and build campfires, all easily accessible by bicycle. Go state park hopping or explore the national forest? Travel on gravel or stick to pavement? Enjoy the views from the bottom or climb to the top?

About

You'll find stories, tips, and how-tos about embarking on short overnight cycling adventures, whether you're traveling to a beautiful state park solo, lounging at a B&B with friends and family, or anything in between!

About

You'll find stories, tips, and how-tos about embarking on short overnight cycling adventures, whether you're traveling to a beautiful state park solo, lounging at a B&B with friends and family, or anything in between!